Framework announces first Youth Patron at Young Supporters’ Awards
Framework is fortunate to benefit from a range of fundraising activity from members of the public every year, and quite often at the heart of those initiatives are young people.
Whether through sponsored Sleep Outs at school, by taking part in Framework’s fundraising events or by organising their own, a number of schools and youth groups – as well as some very selfless individual young people – make significant contributions each year towards Framework’s mission to end homelessness and tackle disadvantage.
In the year from April 2023 to April 2024, the hard work and commitment of several schools, Scout groups and individual young people across Nottinghamshire generated over £8,000 in donations for Framework, every penny of which has been earmarked for our Building Better Futures fundraising appeal. This total will enable Framework to fully furnish five new flats for former rough sleepers, helping turn our brand-new, single-occupancy accommodation into welcoming new homes for people experiencing homelessness.
By way of thanks for all the young people who have contributed towards this outstanding effort, Framework recognised 4 schools and groups and 8 individuals with awards at its third annual Young Supporters Awards on Friday 5July at the Djanogly Theatre in Nottingham.
Year 7 scholars from Djanogly City Academy, children from Brookside Primary School and Beeston Rylands Junior School as well as Scouts from several groups in the Central Notts Scouts District were among those awarded for their support. They were joined by sisters Amber and Jasmine Millar (14 and 12), brothers Isa, Emre and Rada Biçer (13, 12 and 12), Sam Jones (11), Josie Peaurt (11) and Jack Hodson (10).
Among this year’s awardees was a particularly remarkable young man. Isa Biçer, at just 13 years of age, has gone above and beyond over the past three years to help make a difference to those who are experiencing homelessness.
After taking part in Framework’s own Big Sleep Out event with his Scout group in 2021 and 2022, Isa decided he wanted to do more to support Framework after members of his family were left homeless as a result of the earthquakes in Turkey last year. Before participating in Framework’s Big Sleep Out event in 2023, he took it upon himself to sleep out in his back garden for the three additional nights prior along with his brothers to raise extra funds.
Isa didn’t stop there. He then went on to design his own Christmas card, which he printed and sold for Framework’s benefit. Selling over 300 copies, it was clear that his design was very popular and so Framework decided to use it on their own Christmas card to supporters.
As if that wasn’t enough, Isa continued to spread awareness about our work by making appearances in local media to talk about his fundraising exploits and by reading at our Christmas and Easter services at Southwell Minster.
Framework’s First Ever Youth Patron
Whilst all the young people who get involved by fundraising for Framework are outstanding citizens, Framework wanted to do something special to recognise Isa for going above and beyond and were therefore delighted when he accepted their invitation to represent Framework as our first ever Youth Patron.
As Youth Patron, it will be Isa’s responsibility for the next 12 months to advocate for our work among his peers, to talk in school and at his Scout group about what Framework does and to encourage other young people to raise funds and awareness for us.
If you know of a school, youth group or socially-conscious young person who would like to make a difference to people in their community by supporting our work, please email fundraising@frameworkha.org to discuss how they might be able to help. It could be them receiving an award at our Young Supporters Awards next year!